Combination expansion mill and underreamer



June 17, 1930.

COMBINATION EXPANSION MILL AND UNDERREAMER -Filed June 29, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet l I z" FIG 5 j I69 'INVENTORS.

W OLIILER WECKS'I'EIH 4 v LEH LE 'WELLJ.

F I c; 5 ATTORNEY.

L, W L El AL 1,764,373

June 17, 1930. WEL El AL comsmuxou EXPANSION HILL AND UNDERREAMER Filed June 29, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN! EN TORS ECKSTEIH LEHNZE H/IELLs A w p Z q .m

June 17, 1930. 'w s ET AL COMBIVNATION EXPANSION MILL AND UNDERREAMER Filed June 29, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 gm w my M Patented June 17, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT omen BERNIE WELLS AND OLIVER W. ECKSTEIN, F LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA- COMBINATION EXPANSION MILL AND UNDERREAMER Application filed June 29, 1925. Serial No. 40,285.

Our invention relates to earth boring tools, and more particularly to a combined expansion mill and under reamer, especially useful in reboring an oil or other well, though, of course, is not to be'limited to such in its practical application.

It accordingly is an object of our invention to provide a novel formof earth boring device or tool in which sets of cutting eleo ments, of various forms, may be expanded from a casing while said device or tool is being operated, or retracted when not in operative position, a mill, or other guiding member being associated with said casing to assist in boring and also to guide the tool while it is being operated.

It is also within the province of our invention to provide a plural part casing for our novel form of tool or implement in which means are provided whereby said casing may have its parts held in detachable relation, and if desired, the mill or other guiding member may be detachable from said casing and at the same time assist in holding the various parts thereof together.

It is also within the province of our invention to provide our novel form of cutting tool with means whereby it may be rotated, and to provide the cutting elements of said tool, as well as the casing in which said elements are adapted to be expanded or retracted, with stop devices or stop means for preventing said elements from extending or projecting from said casing beyond a. predetermined limit, a resiliently mounted or spring actuated means being associated with said casing and said cutting elements whereby the latter may be operated by an operating member or mandrel positioned in said casing.

It may also be stated that it is within the province of our invention, to make the cuttin elements of such a contour that there wil be no abrupt projections thereon which will interfere with the easy positioning of our tool in an oil or other well, the cutting element or cutting blade actuating means, if desired, being also in the form of a plurality of single or plural wedges, operating in undercut or dovetailed grooves, said cutting blades if desired being cutting edges of various A still further'object of our invention is to provide a. novel form of earth boring tool WhlCh is simple in character, easy and inexpensive to manufacture, durable, thoroughly reliable and effective in operation, composed of a minimum number of parts, and one which will effectively produce the objects intended.

Further ob ects and'advantages' of our invention will become more apparent as the description thereof proceeds.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar ings,

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of our invention with the cutting blades or elements in fully retracted position,

Fig. 2 is a similar View, but showing the blades in fully projected or extended position,

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing half of the casing with the blades retracted, "but with mill or guiding member in section, and also a suggested means for holding the, blades in such position when the device is lowered into also equipped with shapes. Y

. the hole,

Fig. 4 is a transverse cross sectional view through Fig. 1, r

Fig. 5 is a similar view through Fig. 2,

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of one of the parts ofthe plural part casing,

Fig. 7 is a side elevational viewof one of the cutting elements or blades,

Fig. 8 is an end elevational view of Fig. 7, looking from the right, V

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary'detail view of the parts. In the drawmandrel or inner blade operatingmember, 7

showing the stops and operating arms, Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view of Fig. 9,

Fig. 11 is a top plan view ofFig. 2, Figs. 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 are fragmentary detail, views of modifications,

Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but show ing the mill or guiding member in position, Fig. 18 is a bottom plan. view of Fig. 17 Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the hue 1919, Fig. 17, looking in the direction of the arrows,

Fig. 20 is a similar view, taken on the line 20 20, Fig. 17,

Fig. 21 1s a fragmentary perspective new of one of the blades, shown in Figs. 7 and 8,

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary longitudinal crosssectional view of one of the blades,

Fig. 23 is a vertical sectional view of the form shown in Fig. 13, showing the blades retracted, and

Fig. 24 is a similar view showing the blades in expanded position.

Describing our invention more in detail, our im roved earth borin tool comprises prefera ly a plural part casmg 4, of any desired number of parts, the upper-end of each part being equipped with a screw-threaded means 3, whichmay have associated therewith a device or means whereby the casing 4 may be rotated. The lower endof each part of said casing is also equipped with a screwthreaded part 10, said part 10, as well as the part 3, being either integral with the casing as shown, or associated therewith in any desired manner. When assembled, a mill or other earth boring or guiding member 13 is adapted to be detachably associatedwith the part 10, said mill or other member also functioning to assist in holding the various parts of the casing together.

A convenient means for securing the various parts of the casin 4 in detachable rela-- tion comprises a set 0 pins 5, adapted to be positioned in holes 5, though it will be clear that other means may be provided for this purpose. If desired, also, said casing may be formed of one integral construction, cast, or constructed in any preferred way, and of any desired configuration, as well as of any suitable proportion.

Mounted within the casing 4 are sets of cutting elements or blades 9, preferably, though not. necessarily, shaped as shown, so that when said blades are in fully projected or extended position, as shown in Figs. 2, 5, and 11, said blades will not present any abrupt corners, thus facilitating the insertion of the tool within an oil or other well.

Of course, there may be any preferred number of blades 9, though four are preferable,

since such a number functions very well in the reboring operation, and has a distinct advantage over but two, and if desired, the number of such blades may be augmented. As shown, the blades 9 are beveled, to provide an efiicient and efle'ctive cutting surface, and if preferred the cutting edges of said blades may be varied in any preferred manner, anjexam- 4 beyond a predetermined limit, said blades are equipped with suitable cut away stop means 19, of any preferred configuration, to I coact with complementary sto means 6 on the casing 4. Of course it will understood that if desired both ends of the blades as well as the casing may be provided with such a construction. Moreover, said stops may be in the form of shoulders, as shown more particularly in Fi 3, or the casing and blades may have associated therewith any other preferred form of such stops.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the casing 4 may have its parts shaped as shown to provide additional stop means for the blades 9, said with the casing 4 in any preferred manner.

See Fig. 3. The slots 12 also provide an additional stop means for the blades 9, as well as a. guiding means for said blades. It will be understood, however, that this pin and slot means is suggestive merely, and that any other means having the samenfunction falls within the spirit of our invention.

To provide additional means for detachably securing the various parts of the casing 4 together, pins 8 are provided. This means,

however, may be omitted in practise, or any other preferred securing means substituted therefor. Positioned within the casing 4 is a reciprocating member or mandrell, which may be in the form of a hollow cylindrical member, or may be solid, and of any preferred shape and constructed of any desired ma'- terial. Securely fastened to the mandrel 1 is an anchoring member 18, either integral with said mandrel or secured thereto in any preferred manner, and to saidmember are preferably pivoted a set of arms 16, adapted also to be pivoted to the blades 9 in slots or cavities 20. The manner'in which said arms are pivoted to the member 18 and to the blades9 is immaterial, and any other means than that shown and describedmaybesubstituted therefor. The cavity 20 is shaped as shown to provide for housing said arms when the blades 9 are in fully retracted position, as shown in Fig. 3.

As shown in Fig. 3, the mandrel 1 is equipped with a resilient member 15 in the shape of ahelical' spring, acting against the lower portion of the casing 4 and against a stop 14, which stop: either integral with the mandrel 1 or secured thereto in any desired manner. If desired also, the mandrel 1 may. also be provided with an additional stop member 21, similar to the stop 14, and associated with said mandrel in any preferred manner, said stopmember being adapted to engage with the upper portion of the cas- If desired, the upper portion of the casing 4 may be equippe with a cut-away portion 11 in which may be positioned a packin gland. The casin 4 may also be provide with any preferre means whereby the moving parts of our invention may be lubricated.

As shown in Fig. 3, means are provided for holding the blades 9 in fully retracted position, so that the tool may be lowered into the hole to the point where it is desired to mill .or ream. The mandrel 1 being at all times under the action of the spring 15, the blades will be in fully extended position, unless some means are provided to hold the mandrel against the action of said s ring. For this purpose we have provided sai mandrel with a hole to accommodate the pin or other member 24,-of such a material that it may readily be broken by coming into violent contact with the part of the earth to be reamed. After said pin has been broken, the blades 9 will fly out by reason of the action of the spring 15, and the tool will be in a position to be operated. Of course, it will be understood that it is within the province of our invention to provide other means for tripping the mandrel so that the blades may be placed in operative relation with the tool and the hole to be milled or reamed.

In operation, the mandrel 1 is manually depressed against the action of the spring 15 and the pin 24 used to hold said mandrel in position, the blades 9 being then in fully re tractedposition. The drill pipe, by means of which the tool is operated, is now secured to the casing 4 by screwing the same on the melriaber 3, and the tool is lowered into the we The various stops previously described permit the blades 9 to be guided upwardly and held securely in position so that when the casing 4 is rotated the hole in the well may be successfully reamed, the mill or other mem-,

ber 13 serving as a uide to prevent the tool from being deflecte fromits proper course, and also to mill out said hole.

As shown in Fig. 12, the mandrel 1' may be equipped with a stop 14' screw threaded as at 22, to provide a means whereby said stop may be adjusted, a similar stop 21 being also provided on said mandrel functioning in a manner similar to the stop 21. The mandrel 1' is also provided. with an anchoring member 18, screw-threaded as indicated at 23 so that said member may be adjusted on said mandrel, the arms 16 being pivoted to said mandrel in any preferred manner. As will be clear, the structure just described forms a convenient means whereby the various parts of our tool may be accurately adjusted to working .conditions.

In Figs. 13, 14, 15, 23 and 24 we have shown another modification of our invention; The

mandrel 1" may be equipped with a set of arms to take into slots or cavities 20" in the blades 9" to operate the same, said arms being either integral with or secured. to an anchoring member 18" associated with said mandrel in an preferred manner. The mandrel in this orm of our invention is also equipped with a sto 14" against which the spring 15" abuts. The casing in this modification is equipped with a series of grooves shaped to conform with the configuration of the wedges 16" operating in said grooves, and in grooves 12", the equivalent ofxthe slots 12 in the other form of our invention, 2

which wedges are also cut as shown in Fig. 14 to slide in a dove tail groove in said casing. If preferred, said wedges may be formed intwo parts A and B, either integral or secured together in any manner desired,

said wedges functioning precisely as the pins.

7 in the slots 12. r

In the modification shown in Fig. 16, the blade 9 is equipped with a pair of cutting edges 10, defined by a cut awayportion 11, and said edges may be serrated, roughened, or beveled, as in practice may be suggested, to form an eflicient cutting means.

While we have shown the springs 15 and 15" as positioned in the lower part of the casing of our tool, it will be obvlous that if desired said springs may be positioned in the upper part of said casing and abutting against the part 3, or indeed said springs may be positioned entirely outside of said casing, and still remain within the province of our invention.

. Attention may also be directed to another important feature of our invention which absolutely prevents the blades 9 from being lost in the drill hole, a feature which is entirely absent in constructions heretofore proposed. This istrue even though one or more of the blades 9 should become broken while the tool is being operated, the shoulders 6, 19, the configuration of the casing 4 as well as the pin and slot connection 7, 12, efiectively preventing said blades from becoming lost.

Attention is also directed to the fact that the blades. 9 may be several feet in length. In the constructions heretofore proposedthis has been impossible for numerous reasons, theblades in the known constructions being limited to inches in length, and thereb reducling materially theeffectiveness o the too When our device is used in reaming an open hole the hole made will be perfectly would be the case where a hole had .not been properly reamed. As is well known, it is practically impossible to make a perfectly be provided.

Another advantage of our. invention is manlfest when one string of pipe is run within another. By underreaming below the first L10, string, it will be possible to set a larfgerfpipe, e or a and as just indicated, will rovi better cement and water job. oreover, it is possible to make the hole at least one and one-half, or even two, inches lar er in diameter than can be made with ordinary bits, and on very large holes it-is possible to make said holes three or even four inches larger.

In the use of our improved tool, in underreaming the hole before the oil string is set, said tool will have a tendency to remove all mud and open up the oil stratasthat were mudded off by the mud used in drilling.

Itmay also be stated that in side-tracking pipe on redrilling jobs the blades of our tool will be constructed of a special material, so that said tool will mill or cut away the top of the pipe which is to be passed up in such a manner that it will not interfere with the pipe or tools that may be desired to be operated-by said tool.

While we have thus described our invention with great particularity, it will be clear thatthe same may be modified throughout a wide ran e. We therefore do not propose to be limite to the exact details of construction shown and described, but reserve the right in practice to make any and all modifications thereof that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a combined expansion mill and under reamer, in combination, a two part casing, projections extending from each end of'said casing, an inner operating member in all its positlons extending through the entire length of said casing, a set of longitudinally and transversely movable elongated cutting elements positioned in said casing and adapted to be operated by said member, the cutting portion of each of said elements bein in a single vertical plane, and a mill detac ably associated with the lower of said projections, and distinct and separate from said casing, said mill functioning as a cutting element and also assisting in holding the parts of said casing together.

2. An earth boring device comprising in combination a casing elongated with respect to the length of said device, said casing consisting of a separable plural part structure, upper and lower projections extending from said casing, a set of translatory movable elongated cutting elements,'the outer cutting portions of which extend substantially the length of said casing between said projections, associated with said casing, means in all of its positions extending entirely through said casing and positioned between said cutting elements for operating said cutting elements, and an additional cutting element, distinct and separate from said casing, detachably associated with said lower pro ection.

3. A combined expansion mill and under reamer having a mill adapted to be rotated to form both an earth boring means and a guiding means, at least one earth cutting element adapted to be projected. outwardly and upwardly to form an earth cutting means when said combined expansion mill and under reamer is rotated, and means extending through said mill and under reamer for projecting said cutting element.

4. An article'of manufacture comprising a tool which has the dual function of serving as an earth boring member and as a guiding member, a set of cuttin elements adapted to be projected outward y and upwardly to function as earth boring members, a manually operated device extending entirely through said tool and positioned between said cutting elements, said device being distinct and separate therefrom for expanding said cutting elements outwardly, and means for connecting said device to said cutting elements.

5. In a combined expansion mill and under reamer, an elongated casing, a projection on each end of said casing, an operating member in all its positions extending through said casing, and said projections, a series of elongated cutting elements extending substantially the length of said casing between said pro ections, said cutting elements being adapted to have a translatory movement relative to said casing, means pivoted to said operating member and said cutting elements whereby said operating member may be caused to give said cutting elements said translatory movement.

6. In an earth boring tool, in combination, a casing, an inner member in all of its positions extending through and adapted to be reciprocated in said casing, a set of outwardly and upwardly movable cutting elements, the cutting portions of which extend substantially the length of said casing, adapted to be moved relatively to said casing, said inner member being ositioned between said cutting elements an extending the entire length thereof, and outwardly and upwardly movable means movable with said inner member and said cutting elements whereby said inner member may function to actuate said cutting elements.

7. A rotary tool adapted to function both as a guide and an earth boring device, comprising in combination, an elongated casing, a set of cutting elements, "elongated with respect to the length ofsaid. tool, adapted to be projected from said casing, a mandrel ex-' tending entirely through said casin and means associated with said casing and said mandrel for outwardly projecting said cutting elements, said cutting elements at their tops and sides, and said casing at its top and sides being equipped with differently positioned cut-away portions functioning to prevent said cutting elements from being projected from said casing beyond a predetermined limit.

' 8. In a rotary tool for oil or other wells, in combination, a plural part casing equipped with curved portions 0 such contour that it may be readily projected within and withdrawn from said wells, elongated angular extensible and retractable cutting elements extending a substantial distance along the length of said tool, said cutting elements being provided with cut-away and curved portions for easy introduction and removal from said wells, and also with cutting edges extending a substantial length of said elements, and means in all of its positions extending through said casing and between said cutting elements whereby said cutting elements may be operated.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification.

' LENNIE WELLS, OLIVER W. ECKSTEIN. 

